Woman reportedly causes head-on crash in Cornville; may have been high on meth

Drivers were all wearing seatbelts; only minor injuries

A woman from Mesa is facing several drug-related charges after driving her vehicle head-on into a white van along Cornville Road in Cornville Thursday afternoon, April 12.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) deputies were dispatched to the multiple-vehicle collision near mile marker 7 at about 4:15 p.m., according to a YCSO news release. When they arrived, there was an extensive traffic back-up and fire personnel already on scene treating the injured. Three vehicles were involved, two of which were badly damaged. All of the drivers had been wearing seatbelts, which prevented any serious injury, deputies reported.

An investigation revealed that a gray Chevrolet Sonic, driven by 47-year-old Arlene Johnson from Mesa, had apparently crossed the double yellow line and collided head-on with the white van. The van had rolled several times before coming to rest. The driver of a blue truck said he was driving by when the accident occurred and was forced to swerve out of the way to avoid being involved. As a result, the truck ended up off the road after hitting a sign post.

Johnson was evaluated and transported to the Verde Valley Medical Center because of her injuries. While there, she was found in possession of a gram of methamphetamine and a glass pipe used to smoke the drug, deputies reported. She had attempted to dispose of the items in a trash can at the hospital, but they were recovered by deputies. Johnson admitted smoking methamphetamine within the last two days along with regular meth use over the past several years. A blood test sample was submitted. Details of Johnson’s injuries were not available and she was not booked at this time.

The following charges against her are under review: possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a dangerous drug and tampering physical evidence. A charge of DUI involving drugs is pending the outcome of the blood test.